Carbon-holder.



H. L. HARTENSTEIN.

CARBON HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED NOV.19, 1906. RENEWED AUG. 20, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

/ 227/16; ay/(11f H. L. HARTENSTEIN.

CARBON HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1906, RENEWED AUG. 20, 1909.

Patented Jan. 11,1910. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

" ta 1d 6 ends and the accomplishment of certain other HERMAN L.HARTENSTEIN, 0F

CONSTANTINE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO CONTINENTALINVESTMENT COMPANY, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA,

.a CORPORATION OF MINNESOTA.

CAi'tBON-HOLD'ER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed November 19, 1906, SeriaLNo. 343,989. Renewed August20, 1909. Serial No. 513,889.

Tb all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HERMAN L. HARTEN- STEIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Constantine, in the county of St. Joseph and Stateof Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements .inCarbon-Holders, of which the following l and exact specification. l

is a full, clear, I

This invention relates more particularly to carbon holders for electricfurnaces in which electrodes carrying a plurality of carbons areemployed. These carbons are usually of l considerable size and of reatweight and difficulty is experienced in holdingthem firmly together whenthe electrodes are tilted or shifted into different positions, and alsoin keeping them in perfect electrical contact with the other parts ofthe electrodes.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an imroved and efficient form of carbon holder W ich will be capable ofeffectually clamping one or more carbons and keeping in perfectelectrical contact with the same while at the same time holding theclamped carbon against relative movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved and simple meansfor compensating for the expansion of the metallic parts of the holderwhen subjected to the heat of the furnace and preventing the car- I bonsfrom getting loose as a result thereof.

With a View to the attainment of these objects which will hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the features of novelty inconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts which will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims. In the said drawings: Figure lis a side elevation of a carbon holder embodying this invention. Fig. 2is a similar elevation look ing from the diagonally opposite side tothat presented in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan section thereof taken on theline 3-3, Fig. 1. Fi 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing stil furtherimprovements or a modification. Fig. 5 is a view thereof similar to Fig.2. Fig. 6 is a detail face view of one of the, clamping plateshereinafter described. Fig. 7 is an end elevation thereof, and Fig. Sisan understood that ably of the same width as the edge view of one of thewedges employed in the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In this particular exemplification of the invention the carbon holder isdesigned for holding three carbons. These are shown at 1, 2 and 3respectively, and as before stated, they may be of the usual form whichis rectangularin cross section,'but it is, of course, the number ofcarbons to be employed is entirely immaterial and foreign to the spiritof this invention. The electrical conductors which conduct the currentto and from the carbons usually comprise heavy copper strips or bars andin this exemplification of the invention such are employed. Theyareshown at 4, 5 respectively and in this instance serve to carry thecurrent to all three ofthe carbons 1,2and 3. As shown in Fig. l theextremities of these strips or bars 4, 5 are turned outwardly or havelateral projections 6, 7 just over the ends of the two outer carbons 1and 3 and bolted to these projections or otherwise suitably securedthereto are two clip or clamp plates 9, 10, two for each of theconductors 4, 5, the upper ends of the plates 9, 10 being turned at anangle toward each other respectively below and above the projections 6,7 as indicated at 11, 12 and firmly secured to the projections 6, 7 bybolts 13 or other means. These plates or strips9, 10 may be composed ofcopper or any other suitable conductor and are preferoutside carbons 1,3, the outside plates 10 lying against the outer faces of the carbons l,3, and the inside plates 9, lying between these carbons and theintermediate carbon 2.

Copper conductors of the volume sufficient to carry all the currentwhich may be needed with a device of this type are not suflicientlystrongto sustain the mechanical stresses incident to the use of a heavyelectrode, copper being a ductile and flexible metal, and there is nopurpose in using copper conductors of a heavier section. In the presentinvention therefore the electrode carbons are carried by and supportedat the end of a steel or iron arm or beam 14. This beam in the preferredspecific embodiment of this invention is an ordinary steel or iron Ibeam. With a channeled iron of this character suitable copper conductors4 and 5 may be accommodated within the channels while at the lower endof vmay be subjected this channel bar and on both sides thereof arebolted or otherwise secured two brackets 15, 16 whose lower ends areformed with perforated lugs 17 for the support of two clamping bolts 18,19. The-lugs 17 aresituated considerably below the u per ends of thecarbons and on both ends 0 the bolts 18, 19' are arranged clamping bars20, 21 through which the threaded ends of the bolts pass and carry nuts22 by means of which the clamping bars 20,21 may be subjected to strainfor forcing the plates 10 inwardly and firmly gripping and clamping allof the parts between them together. By making the clamping bars 20, 21of a material possessin a slight degree of flexibility or elasticity, tey to strain until their ends bend inwardly as shown in Fig. 3 and as aconsequence, when the bolts 18, 19 elongate in the heat of the furnacethe strain under which the clamping bars 20, 21 are thus placed willstill keep up the pressure and prevent the carbon ,from working loose.These plates will also prevent the oxidation of the contacting surfacesof the carbons by exclusion of the air therefrom.

A carbon holder thus constructed is effectual in holding the carbons andkeeping them in perfect electricalcontact with the conductors wherethe'use does not require the tipping of the electrodes at an angle tothe plane of the clamping bolts 18, 19 but where such tipping isnecessary it is desirable to use the form of holder shown in Figs. 4 to8 inclusive. In this form the construction is substantially the same asthat described in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive with the exception that thebrackets 15, 16 are offset from the flanges of the I-beam 1 1 by spacingblocks 23, 24: to space away the inner faces of the brackets 15,16 andmake room for a number of wedges 25, 26. Two of these wedges arepreferably employed on each side of the carbon holder and they areinserted between the inner faces of the brackets 15, 16 and two bearingplates 27 28 which are adapted to be'forced against the face of thecarbons thereby. These plates are formed with supporting shoulders 27,28 respectively which overlap and rest upon the ends of the clampingbars 20, 21 and thus hold the plates 27, 28 against downward movementwhile the wedges 25, 26 are being driven. The wedges are preferablyinserted in av diagonal direction as indicated in Fig. 1 and the outerfaces of the plates 27 28 are preferably tapered u wardly or beveled sothat the inner face 0 each plate and thelouter face of each wedge willbe parallel in all positions of the wedges. By thus providing thesebearing plates 27, 28 and the wedges 25, 26 i only firmly held fromshifting sidewise of the clamping bars 20, 21 but their upper thecarbons are not ends are protected from the atmosphere by the plates 2728 and thus preserved against the deterioratin influences of the heatwhich, as is well%& upon the carbons where not exposed to the air.

Lost motion between the carbons and the brackets 15, 16 may be readilytaken up from time to time without removing the electrodes from thefurnace by simply tapping the upper ends of the wedges, an operationwhich, of course, is much more feasible and' convenient than would bethe manipulation of bolts or clamping screws in the highly heatedatmosphere in which devices of this nature are ordinarily employed. Inthe described device, the carbons are held in line with the steel armand the compound elec-. trode can be dipped and otherwise handled like aunitary structure. The copper extensions 10 not only 've a goodelectrical contact with the car ons under the clamping pressure butbeing or relatively soft metal, they act 'as cushioning devices andenable the employment of relatively high clamping pressures upon thehard carbons.

Electrodes of the present ty e may be usefully employed wherever a reelymovable, rigid'and structurally strong electrode is required, and in acom anion application, Serial No. 345,7 52, filed ov. 30, 1906 (nowPatent No. 883,110", March 24, 1908) this type of electrode is shownemployed in a calcium carbid furnace.

What I claim is 1. In a device for the purpose described, thecombination of a plurality of carbons, a plurality of conductors, havingtheir ends turned at an angle, two conductor plates for eachof saidconductors having their ends turned toward each other and overlappedwith and secured to the angle ends of said conductors, said conductorplates being arranged between said carbons and against the outer facesthereof on diametrically opposite sides, and means for clamping saidcarbons and conductor plates together.

2. In a device for the purpose described, the combination of an arm,brackets provided on said arm on diametrically opposite sidesthereof,conductors supported by said arm between said brackets, carbons arrangedbetween said brackets, conductor plates secured to said conductors andembracing said carbons, clamping bars crossing said conductor plates andclamping bolts engaging said clamping bars and supported by saidbrackets.

3. In a device for the purpose described, the combination of an arm inthe form of a channeled bar, conductors lying between the flanges ofsuch arm and turned ends, conductor plates having ends turned towardeach other and secured to the outwardly turned ends of said, conductors,carbons embraced by said conductor plates,

having outwardly nown, has but little effect bars crossing the conductorsupported by the brackets and, engaging said clamping bars.

4. In a device for the plates and olts purpose described,

the combination of an arm in the form of a channeled bar, conductorslying between the flanges of said wise thereof, a tion with saidsupporting said 5. In a the carbon to arm and extending lengthcarbon inelectrical connecconductors and means for carbon on said arm.

device for the the combination of bon and means for supporting andclamping said arm,

purpose described, a supporting arm, a carembodying a longitudinallymovable wedge.

arm embodying a n a device for the purpose described, the combination ofa supporting arm, a carbon and means for clamping carbon to the plateand a longitudinally movable wedge for forcing the plate toward thecarbon.

bon, and means f purpose described,

or clamping the carbon to the arm embodying clamping bars engagingdiametrically opposite sides of the carbon,

a plate shouldered upon said bars and a carbon.

wedge for forcing the plate toward the 8. In a device for the purposedescribed,

the combination of a bon, clamping bars opposite sides of the supportlngarm, a car engaging diametrically carbon, means for straining saidclamping bars toward each other, means for means from the upon saidclamping porting means and carbon and a wedge m terposed between means.

supporting said straining arm, a plate shouldered bars between saidsupsaid plate and supporting 9'. In a device for the purpose described,the combination of a supporting arm, a carbons for clampin bon, clampingbars crossing diametrically opposite faces of the carbon, brackets seondiametrically opposite n and ,wedging devices insaid brackets and thecarg the carbons on diametrically opposite sides.

10. In a device the combination for the purpose described, of asupporting arm, a

plurality of carbons, brackets secured to opposite sides of the arm,ranged on diametrically clamping bars aropposite sides of the carbons,plates shouldered upon said clamping bars between bons, and wedgesbrackets and plates for forcing the plates the brackets and thecarinterposed between said toward a the carbons.

11. A dipping electrode comprising an I-beam, a conductor secured in achannel of said beam, a pair 66 flanges of said b of brackets carried bythe cam, means for clamping .carbon clamps carried 'means carried bycomprising an each flange at below said end, and by said brackets.

13. A dlpping electrode comprising an I-beam, conductor plates carriedin the channels of said beam, a bracket on each flange at one end of thebeam, said brackets extending somewhat therebclow, auxiliary conductorplates also extending therebelow and said brackets for clan'iping saidauxiliary plates against carbon elcctrodeelemen-ts and for securing saidelements.

14. In a dipping electrode, a channeled steel beam, a copper conductorelement in one of the channels thereof, said conductor elements beingcontinued beyond the end of the beam and clamping means carried by saidend, said clamping means being adapt ed to produce a forcible contactbetween the conductor continuations and carbon electrode elements and'to hold said electrode elements.

15. In a dipping electrode, a steel beam, clamping means for securingcarbon electrode elements at one end of said beam, said meansextendingbeyond said end and being adapted to clamp carbon electrodeelements in two directions at right angles with each other.

16. In a dipping electrode, a steel beam having a channel, ajcopperconductor in said channel, auxiliary conductors extending beyond the endof said beam, downwardly extending brackets carried by said end, meansfor clamping said auxiliary conductors to the copper conductors andmeans carried by said brackets for clamping said auxiliary conductorsand carbon electrode elements into a rigid assemblage.

17. In a dipping electrode, a steel channeled bar, brackets at the endof the bar and extending therebelow, clamping tension rods carried bythe brackets and clamping plates carried by said rods.

18. In a dipping electrode, a steel channeled bar, brackets at the endof the bar and extending therebelow, clamping tension rods carried bythe brackets, clamping plates carried by said rods, auxiliary clampingplates at right angles to the first stated clamping plates and wedgingmeans for pressure between said brackets auxiliary clamping plates.

19. A dipping electrode comprising a steel arm carrying clamping meansat one end, said clamping means being adaptedto exert clamping pressurefrom all sides upon a rectangular carbonelectrode element held thereby,and means for transmitting currentto said electrode element.

and said producing an extension beyond the end 2o. Adippin' accusescomprising a steel arm, a copper conductor carried thereby, clampingmeans at the end of the aim adapted to exert clamping pi'essu're uponallsides of a rectangular carbo'n electrode element held thereby and meansfor electrically connect-ing said conductor and said carbon element. s VK 21, A dipping electrode comprising a channeled steel arm, a copperconductor mounted in a channel thereof, and having or the arm, a pair ofbrackets mounted on said end and carrying tension rods, and a pair ofclamping plates mounted on the tension rods and adapted to rigidly holdrectangular carbon electrode elements therebetween and to make contactwith said condiictor extension.

22. A dipping electrode comprising a channeled steel arm, 'a coper'condu'ctor mounted in a channel thereo and having an extensionbeyond the end of the arm, a pair of brackets mounted on said end andcarrying tension rods, a pair of clamping plates mounted on the tensionrods and adapted to rigidly hold rectangular carbon electrode elementstherebetween and to make contact the first stated pair of clampin withsaid eondli'ctor extension, and a pair of atix'iliary cla'm'pin platesat right angles to to engage, diagonally opposite aces of saidrectangular carbon electrode elements there between. l

23. In a dipping electrode, a steel arm and means for rigidly supportingcarbon electrode elements n end-to-end engagement therewith and 'in linewith said arm.

24. In a dipping electrode, a rigid metal arm carrying a conductorhaving a platelike copper extension beyond one extremity, means at suchextremity to support clamping means in line with said arm and clampinmeans carried thereby and adapted to exert lateral pressure on aflat-sided carbon electrode element through such plate-like extension.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 17th day of November A.D.'Q1906.

HERMAN L. HARTENSTEIN.

Witnesses:

FRANoIs A; HOPKINS,

CHAS. H. LEEM.

plates and-

